Iraqi researcher calls for release of leader Ocalan following his historic call

Dr. Jawad al-Baydani, an Iraqi historian and researcher, asserted that leader Abdullah Ocalan’s latest call—urging a ceasefire and the establishment of democratic foundations—was the result of longstanding negotiations between him and Turkish authorities. He highlighted that the appeal was strategically aimed at "holding Turkey accountable" and revealing the sincerity of Ankara’s democratic aspirations.

 Al-Baydani further noted that the leader statement contains "numerous encoded messages" that are not immediately decipherable, but he anticipates that this development will lead to fresh negotiations. However, he argued that these negotiations should not be based solely on leader Ocalan’s appeal but must also include conditions for his release, given his ideological significance as the symbolic leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

 He explained that the PKK is "built on ideological foundations" and that its members do not operate for financial gain but rather for the pursuit of independence and freedom, akin to other national movements.

 Al-Baydani called for leader Ocalan’s release to enable direct discussions with PKK leadership, allowing him to clarify the rationale behind his call to lay down arms and halt hostilities.

 The researcher also speculated that future dialogue between the leader and Turkish authorities is inevitable, asserting that the Kurdish leader has "put the ball in Turkey’s court" through his latest initiative. He suggested that the Turkish government, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, may have come under U.S. pressure, prompting Erdoğan to engage with leader as a political maneuver.

Concluding his remarks, al-Baydani stressed the necessity of ensuring Kurdish political and cultural rights, comparable to those of other nations, and called for lasting security and stability in the region.

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ANHA